‘Unwilling and unable’: Half of Gaza City refuses to flee as Israeli attacks intensify
Around half a million Palestinian civilians are facing down the Israeli offensive, some trapped by exorbitant costs, others fearing they will never be allowed to return
By Maha Hussaini in Gaza City, occupied Palestine
Published date: 22 September 2025
Relentless Israeli attacks since 11 August have forced half of the city’s population out, leaving around half a million remaining as paratroopers backed by tanks push a ground offensive into various neighbourhoods.
Meanwhile, booby-trapped robots and explosive-packed, remote-controlled vehicles have been used to level the city.
“Every day, the Israeli occupation detonates dozens of explosive-laden vehicles in neighbourhoods that are only around 10 minutes away from where I stay. And I feel them approaching day after day, but where would I go?” Abuaita said.
“I have already left my home in the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood and took only a few of my belongings with me. I couldn’t carry more, and it was the harshest situation anyone could go through because you have to choose between what you need to survive and what you want to keep as a memory with you.”
While many Palestinians like Abuaita have not fled Gaza City due to the exorbitant costs and lack of transportation, others refuse to leave their homes, believing they would not be allowed to return.
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While Israeli tanks have advanced into the northern and eastern parts of the city, the remaining central and western areas remain under intense bombardment, including air strikes, artillery shelling and heavy gunfire.
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They're blocked in since the offensive is intended to be a clearing operation. |
